Does anyone have a DIY on changing tranny fluid? Or can someone just explain how to? I've never done it before. Is it better just to take it somewhere and get it flushed? What kind of tranny fluid do you recommend?

I'm also going to change my diff fluid, which is pretty easy. Does anyone have any preferences on diff fluid also? Not really sure what weight I should use.

Thanks!!

 

try this it's very detailed - http://www.60ateight.com/DodgeRam/

 

Wow, that's good stuff. Thanks man! After reading that, I may just shop around a little and see how much a whole flush and everything is.

 

When you go to a shop and ask for a flush, that's all you will get. Now, depending on your mileage you may want to have the pan dropped FIRST and have the screens changed and the pan gunk wiped clean before the flush. You must ask for that at a shop because they like doing the flushed because they are easiest.
Anything over 80kmi i would highly suggest you drop the pan and change the filters first. You can disconnect the return line from the trans or the cooler and stick it in a bucket...start the truck for 10sec and the 7qts of fluid in the pan will spew out within 30sec leaving your pan empty for you to drop down and remove with zero mess.
Once your done with the filters, pour 8qts of fluid in(slightly overfull) then you start your truck again and empty the pan back out. Your actually not emptying the pan, but rather the pan(new fluid) is pushing the old fluid in the system out. Keeep doing this until the fluid going into the bucket is clean. that's all there is to it...ohh, and the price tag of the fluid...lol
You'll use ATF+4 and you'll need right around 17qts. i'd get an extra or 2 if you end up doing it yourself.
Most places will charge like $150 for just the flush and prob another $60 or so to drop the pan for the fliters.

 

Hmm, ok. So how much do the filters run, and where is the best place to get them? I don't know if I even have a trans cooler. So as I flush it out with the new fluid, I just throw it away? Man, that just seems like a waste of fluid. Damn, $210 seems pretty high.

Oh, and what are most of you using for diff fluid?

 

For ATF+4, its all the same stuff. Its a Chrysler blend that was created for these trannies. In order to get the rights to sell ATF+4, companies must use the exact recipes which is very specific on what additives and exactly how much they can use. The differences in price are simply because of the name. I know a lot of guys that use WalMarts brand (supertech or something like that) because its so much cheaper than the big name companies.

ATF+4 has a very unique smell. The cheap ATF+4 is not any different chemically than the expensive stuff. So as long as you use ATF+4, it doesnt matter what the bottle says (oh yeah, and all ATF+4 is synthetic whether the bottle says it or not)

 

Oh ok, good info AF, thanks.

 

Brock,
you can go to Rockauto.com and get a sampling price for filters. I don't now if it is good prices but I have used them in the past with positive results. I am sure others will chime in on where to buy with decent prices.

As for the rear diff fluid, I use Royal Purple 75W-140 (mine is a '05 1500 2WD). There is a detailed DIY on here on how to do it, just do a search. Is real easy to do.

 

When I change my diff fluid I use 70-140w weight synthetic fluid. I get it from the dodge dealer. I am running 4.56 gears with a locker and I use that from the factory for the rear end, is that right or am i suppose to use a higher oil weight?? and for the trans flush i do it my self its easier, try this site airram.com for trans pans, you could get one that has a drain bolt and holds more fluid. that is what I am doing, cuz it will make it easier to drop it with the Fluid drained. But thanks dirtydog for that tip on pulling the line for the cooler to empty the pan.

 

keep in mind if you have an LSD that uses clutch packs (auburn) you cant use synthetic in the rear. The extra additives dont allow it to work as well. Use conventional along with the LSD additive.